SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO) – Small business owners and technology professionals gathered in Sioux Falls on Wednesday for the fifth annual cybersecurity conference.
“Everyone really has a responsibility to understand the vulnerabilities in their environment,” said Dakota State University President Dr. José-Marie Griffiths.
Whether you own a high street retail business or have an office full of employees, all work environments are filled with technology, making all businesses a potential target for a cyber attack.
“Some of the biggest takeovers we’ve seen in this country have started in small businesses in their point-of-sale systems,” said Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jeff Griffin.
“It affects all businesses, in fact, it affects every one of us who use the Internet, it’s quite broad,” said Dr. Griffiths.
That’s why the Better Business Bureau and the Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce have partnered together for the fifth year to host the Sioux Falls Cyber Security Conference.
“We have private business owners here learning more about cybersecurity, international threats, targeting and data collection, access to their intellectual property so they can get the best protection in the country,” Griffin said. .
“Get ready for an attack, before you have an attack, so you don’t have an attack, or if you do, you can protect yourself effectively,” said Dr. Griffiths.
From ensuring cyber security, to understanding potential threats and training employees to the issues addressed at this conference are changing rapidly every year.
“It’s one of those subjects if you don’t keep a sharp eye on it, you can get carried away very quickly,” Griffin said.
The chamber plans to continue holding the cybersecurity conference each year to provide local businesses with ongoing training, while also connecting business owners with local resources available throughout the year to help improve their cybersecurity.
